[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9727]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       ONGOING VIOLENCE IN SYRIA

  (Mr. PETERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my growing concern 
regarding the events unfolding in Syria. President Assad has repeatedly 
refused to usher in democratic reforms for his people and instead has 
chosen to continue his indiscriminate killings of innocent men, women, 
and children. His ruthless campaign of brutality has now shifted to 
northern Syria, where Syrian security forces led by President Assad's 
brother have instilled fear in the residents. Many of those innocently 
protesting for reform and freedom have been gunned down and many more 
have fled their homes, leaving all belongings and possessions behind.
  With a complete ban on the entry of foreign journalists into the 
country, it is nearly impossible to determine just how dire the 
circumstances are. However, with the thousands of Syrians fleeing the 
violence into nearby Turkey, it is clear that conditions both in Syria 
and on the Turkish-Syrian border are deteriorating.
  I therefore urge President Assad to allow humanitarian aid groups 
access into Syria. By refusing entry, President Assad has forced his 
own people to not only live under deplorable conditions but he has 
forced them to live in a constant state of fear. Aid groups must be 
allowed in to provide the vital care. If the Syrian regime has any 
compassion, it will do so.

                          ____________________